'Ready for both': Canadians prepare for any outcome as Trump declares victory
Former president Donald Trump declared victory early Wednesday morning as the path to victory for Vice-President Kamala Harris was significantly diminished by Pennsylvania's swing back to the Republican leader.
"I will govern by a simple motto: promises made, promises kept," Trump said to cheering party faithful at a Florida watch party.
When the Republican leader gave his speech, only Fox News had declared his triumph. Trump spoke about helping the country heal and fixing the border, saying he will fight for American families with every breath in his body.
"Look what happened. Is this crazy?" Trump said. "But it's a political victory that our country has never seen before."
Americans anxiously watched as the results of Tuesday's election rolled in, revealing a deeply divided United States as a handful of critical battleground states were still being counted late into the night.
Trump also took the battleground states of North Carolina and Georgia, crushing much of the hope Democrats were holding on to as they waited to see how Harris performed in Michigan and Wisconsin.
Harris's campaign chair sent a memo to staff late Tuesday that the Midwestern “blue wall” states were the Democrat’s “clearest path” to victory and they were prepared for vote counting to continue through Wednesday morning.
"If you had asked me earlier, I would have said cautiously optimistic, I think seeing the numbers come in, I am feeling more trepidation," said Alessia Stewart at a watch party in Washington where disappointment echoed through the room each time Trump showed gains. "But still trying to hold on to some optimism."
As the chaotic presidential campaign reached its peak, many Americans remained caught between concern and excitement. Bars throughout the U.S. capital were packed with people watching the results come in.
At Union Pub near Capitol Hill, election specials included the Dirty Walz — with Mountain Dew, vodka and grenadine — and They're Drinking The Cats — with whiskey and sour mix served with cat straws.
Some businesses had already boarded up windows and security fences were erected outside the White House, putting some visitors to the famous building on edge about violence on election day.
"Whatever happens in the election, I am confident in America," said Randy Biard, who is from Tennessee, in Washington Tuesday afternoon.
Harris and Trump have presented starkly different visions for the future, but as millions of Americans cast their ballots, polling suggested the two remained in a dead heat.
Trump was holding a watch party at Mar-a-Lago in Florida where party faithful cheered loudly every time it was announced the Republican was leading Harris.
Harris was gathering with supporters at her alma mater, Howard University in Washington.
Howard students gathered in the campus gymnasium for a watch party filled with music and dancing. When early results started to come in, spirits remained high despite the uncertain outcome.
"I’m very excited, nervous, but I think what’s meant to be will be," said 20-year-old party attendee Tyette Manna.
A shared history and an 8,891-kilometre border will not shield Canada from the election's outcome. Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to the United States, said "any election in the U.S. is important and impactful for us."
"They are central to our economic prosperity. They are a vital security partner."
Hillman has been travelling across America meeting with key members of the Republican and Democrat teams to prepare for any outcome. On election night, after her embassy duties were finished, she planned to watch the results with her husband and friends.
Hillman is keenly aware of the immense stakes at play for Canada.
"Whoever is sitting in the Oval Office and populating Congress is making decisions that may affect Canada, either decisions that provide us with opportunities or decisions that pose challenges for us," Hillman said. "The job is to be ready for both."
Both candidates have proposed protectionist policies, but experts warn if the Republican leader prevails the relationship between the neighbours could be much more difficult.
"Trump and some of the key people around him, including (former trade representative) Robert Lighthizer, really want to stick it to Canada," said Fen Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa.
Trump's first administration demonstrated how vulnerable Canada is to America's whims when the former president scrapped the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Negotiating its successor, the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, was a key test for Ottawa after Trump's victory. Whoever takes over the White House this time will be in charge during the agreement's review in 2026.
A cause for concern in Canada and around the world is Trump's proposed 10 per cent across-the-board tariff. A Canadian Chamber of Commerce report suggests those tariffs would shrink the Canadian economy, resulting in around $30 billion per year in economic costs.
American economists warned Trump's plan could cause inflation, and possibly a recession, which would almost certainly have ripple effects in Canada. More than 77 per cent of Canadian exports go to the U.S. and trade comprises 60 per cent of Canada's gross domestic product.
"When the American economy is growing, it's generally good for us," Hampson said. "If they take a deep dive under Trump … that will have a knock-on effect on us, on top of tariffs."
The election outcome could also redefine America's role in the world. Trump is critical of giving aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia, has attacked the United Nations and repeatedly claimed he would not defend NATO members that don't meet defence spending targets — something Canada is not doing, and won't do for years.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to meet the target of spending the equivalent of two per cent of GDP on defence by 2032.
Trump's first tenure also saw the Republican leader withdraw from the Paris Agreement, an international treaty to cut greenhouse gases.
Hampson said the Republicans' push against international institutions and treaties will have "a profound impact" on Canada, but also key allies and the world order itself.
If Harris wins, it's widely expected that there will be more normal relations based on established patterns and rules, but it does not necessarily mean smooth sailing for Canada.
It's expected the vice-president would follow the path laid by President Joe Biden on foreign policy and trade with Canada.
Biden signed an executive order to revoke the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have transferred oil from Alberta to Nebraska. The administration's Buy America procurement rules also caused concern in Canada.
Laura Dawson, an expert on Canada-U.S. relations and the executive director of the Future Borders Coalition, said she expects a Harris administration would continue nationalist and protectionist policies.
Harris has spoken on the campaign trail about the fact that she voted against the trilateral trade agreement and said she will return manufacturing jobs to the U.S.
It's a great slogan and bumper sticker, Dawson said, "but it's terrible if you are Canada."
Dawson warned Trudeau's team during a cabinet retreat in August that no matter who is the next president, Canada will have to work harder to maintain the existing benefits of integrated trade and travel.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
With files from The Associated Press
IN DEPTH
Jagmeet Singh pulls NDP out of deal with Trudeau Liberals, takes aim at Poilievre Conservatives
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has pulled his party out of the supply-and-confidence agreement that had been helping keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberals in power.
'Not the result we wanted': Trudeau responds after surprise Conservative byelection win in Liberal stronghold
Conservative candidate Don Stewart winning the closely-watched Toronto-St. Paul's federal byelection, and delivering a stunning upset to Justin Trudeau's candidate Leslie Church in the long-time Liberal riding, has sent political shockwaves through both parties.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Downtown Vancouver stabbing suspect dead after being shot by police
A suspect is dead after being shot by police in a Vancouver convenience store after two people were injured in a stabbing Wednesday morning, according to authorities.
DEVELOPING As police search for suspect, disturbing video surfaces after U.S. health-care CEO gunned down in New York
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what investigators suspect was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference.
'Utterly absurd': Freeland rebuffs Poilievre's offer of two hours to present fall economic statement
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has rebuffed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's offer to give up two hours of scheduled opposition time next Monday to present the awaited fall economic statement as 'utterly absurd.'
Transport Minister to summon airline CEOs as Air Canada set to charge carry-on fees for some passengers
Transport Minister Anita Anand says she will be calling Canadian airline CEOs to a meeting in mid-December after Air Canada says it will charge some passengers for carry-on bags in the new year.
Canada Post stores continue to operate during strike — but why?
As many postal workers continue to strike across the country, some Canadians have been puzzled by the fact some Canada Post offices and retail outlets remain open.
Toddler fatally shot after his 7-year-old brother finds a gun in the family's truck
A two-year-old boy was fatally shot when his seven-year-old brother found a gun in the glovebox of the family's truck in Southern California, authorities said.
Mitch Marner to wear red and white Maple Leaf as Canada rounds out 4 Nations roster
Mitch Marner was among the 15 players added to Canada's roster for the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off tournament Wednesday.
Mattel sued over 'Wicked' dolls with porn website link
Mattel was sued this week by a South Carolina mother for mistakenly putting a link to an adult film site on the packaging for its dolls tied to the movie 'Wicked.'
Two children wounded and gunman dead after shooting at Northern California school
Two students were wounded in a shooting Wednesday at a small religious school in Northern California and the shooter died from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot, sheriff's officials said.
Local Spotlight
'It's all about tradition': Bushwakker marking 30 years of blackberry mead
The ancient art of meadmaking has become a holiday tradition for Regina's Bushwakker Brewpub, marking 30 years of its signature blackberry mead on Saturday.
Alberta photographer braves frigid storms to capture the beauty of Canadian winters
Most people want to stay indoors when temperatures drop to -30, but that’s the picture-perfect condition, literally, for Angela Boehm.
N.S. teacher, students help families in need at Christmas for more than 25 years
For more than a quarter-century, Lisa Roach's middle school students have been playing the role of Santa Claus to strangers during the holidays.
N.S. girl battling rare disease surprised with Taylor Swift-themed salon day
A Nova Scotia girl battling a rare disease recently had her 'Wildest Dreams' fulfilled when she was pampered with a Swiftie salon day.
Winnipeg city councillor a seven-time provincial arm wrestling champ
A Winnipeg city councillor doesn’t just have a strong grip on municipal politics.
Watch: Noisy throng of sea lions frolic near Jericho Beach
A large swarm of California sea lions have converged in the waters near Vancouver’s Jericho and Locarno beaches.
Auburn Bay residents brave the cold to hold Parade of Lights
It was pretty cold Saturday night, but the hearts of those in a southeast Calgary neighbourhood warmed right up during a big annual celebration.
Three million grams of cereal collected to feed students in annual Cereal Box Challenge
The food collected will help support 33 breakfast and snack programs in the Greater Essex County District School Board.
Regina's LED volume wall leaving Sask. months after opening
Less than a year after an LED volume wall was introduced to the film world in Saskatchewan, the equipment is making its exit from the province.